The band Kin’Gongolo Kiniata was formed during the corona pandemic and became popular in 2022 through social media. After that, things went fast, and now the band tours extensively with their music, which they themselves describe as a modern version of Congolese folk music – with punk and electronic elements.
A sound enhanced by instruments they built themselves.
– We have an environmentally friendly message and are against everything that pollutes our planet. Our goal is to protect the environment and the planet. We do that through music, and that’s why we return things that have been thrown on the street. We collect trash and create musical instruments from it, says band member Gino to SVT Kulturnyheterna.
Colleague Bruno goes on to talk about how the instruments affect the sound:
– It gives a kind of new timbre. It’s probably a new sound, which we harmonize with classic, common tones, he tells SVT.
“Not political songs”
The danceable sound has earned the band gigs all over the world. They explain to SVT that they are part of a new movement in Congolese music.
– In the Congo, a new wave of rumba has actually arisen, which is modernized. The structure is the same but a sort of updated rumba recipe, explains Gino.
Despite clear messages about the environment, peace and freedom, Kin’Gongolo Kiniata does not consider itself a political band.
– We condemn things that are not good, but do not sing political songs. We sing patriotic songs instead. When we’re on tour, we always bring our country’s flag with us when we play. It’s a way to market our country’s culture in a good way, says Gino to SVT Kulturnyheterna.